M² (album)

M² is a studio album by Jazz fusion musician Marcus Miller, released in 2001 on Telarc Records.
This album won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

Critical reception

Sonia Murray of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, in a B review declared, "on occasion, the past bandmate of Miles Davis, Steely Dan's Donald Fagen, George Benson and others steps out front and graces us with a solo project. And his first such effort in seven years -- even in its funk tendencies -- evokes the kind of ease and beauty that makes the word "grace" appropriate."
Rob Theakston of Allmusic in a 4/5 star review commented, "Marcus Miller continues to display his multi-instrument virtuosity with M², and while the order of the day is still smooth jazz, there's more of a soulful R&B edge than the majority of his previous work. It also features an all-star cast that includes Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, Raphael Saadiq, Paul Jackson, Jr., and Lenny White among others."

All tracks composed by Marcus Miller except where noted.

Marcus Miller – Wurlitzer electric piano, synthesizers, vocoder, bass guitars, drum programming, scratches, organ, guitars, bass guitar, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, lead vocals, acoustic bass, vocals, Fender Rhodes, synth bass, alto saxophone, fretless basses, B♭ clarinet, fretless bass, rhythm guitar, Roland TR-808, backing vocals, clavinet, ambient synthesizer, talking synth bass, electric guitar, radio, guitar effects, percussion programming, vibraphone, acoustic guitar, soprano saxophone
Bernard Wright – Fender Rhodes, organ
Herbie Hancock – acoustic piano, acoustic piano solo
Paul Jackson, Jr. – acoustic guitar, guitars, dobro
Hiram Bullock – lead guitar, guitars
Leroy Taylor – synth bass, Fender Rhodes
Lenny White – brush fills
Poogie Bell – drums
Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
David Isaac – water effects, hi-string note, tom overdubs, cowbell, triangle, percussion programming
Mino Cinelu – percussion
Kenny Garrett – alto saxophone, alto sax solo
Branford Marsalis – soprano sax solo
Hubert Laws – flute solo, flute
Wayne Shorter – soprano saxophone, soprano sax solo
James Carter – tenor sax solo
Maceo Parker – alto sax solo
Fred Wesley – trombone, trombone solo
Michael "Patches" Stewart – trumpet
Larry Corbett – cello
Matt Funes – viola
Joel Derouin – violin
Raphael Saadiq – lead vocals
Nikki Miller – vocals
Djavan – scat vocals
Chaka Khan – vocals